On the Right Side

"On the Right Side" seems very dated and preachy today, though its message is a sound one and is the basis of groups like AA and Gamber's Anonymous.

Bill and Mary get married when the film begins and life seems good. But soon their marriage is destroyed by Bill's gambling. It's bad...but gets worse and worse despite his many promises to change. Eventually, in desperation, she visits a judge who is a family friend. She wants him to help her get a divorce, but he's against divorce and instead recommends Bill get his heart right with God.

The message is to have faith and to stop trying to fix an addiction on your own. This message is very ecumenical in nature and isn't as heavy-handed as it could have been. An odd curio from the early days of self-help groups.